ADHD is a genetic condition, although professionals acknowledge that the child’s environment helps determine specific behaviours and a lot of research is still needed to be carried out.
Certain chemicals in the brain-called neurotransmitters help brain cells communicate with each other. According to Bender, W. the neurotransmitters mostly involved with ADHD are called dopamine (2008, P. 27-38). The genetic connection is to the dopamine that exists in some individuals with ADHD. Bender, W. also talks about a genetic connection of 20%-32% of parents with children who have ADHD also have the disorder. Bender continues to discuss that recent studies have demonstrated that mothers, fathers, and other biological relatives of children with ADHD are significantly more likely to have a history of childhood ADHD (2008, P. 24-38).
Pierangelo and Giuliani discuss that scientists have found coloration between the use of cigarettes and alcohol during pregnancy resulting in their offspring of that pregnancy being diagnosed with ADHD (2008, P. 4-5). High levels of lead in the bodies of young children due to lead paint or plumbing found in older buildings, has been linked to ADHD and according to Pierangelo and Giuliani lead is no longer allowed to be used in paint thus exposure to toxic levels common as it once was (2008, P. 4-5).
Diet restrictions have not been proven too help with ADHD specifically; it has helped young children who have food allergies and react to sugar or preservatives but not necessarily linked to ADHD.
Both Bender and Pierangelo and Giuliani state that more research needs to be done as there are so many variable factors like genetic, environment, neurological and consumption of the mother when pregnant. It is agreed however that there is strong evidence for a genetic factor and in these cases; it is presumed that the underlying cause is neurological in nature (Bender 1997, P.37).
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